How Do It Yourself Clogged Drain Repairs May Do More Harm Than Good
How Do It Yourself Clogged Drain Repairs May Do More Harm Than Good
Have you noticed that the shower keeps draining slowly? Or perhaps a family member has been complaining, you’ve been too busy to check it out, and now the water is really not going anywhere, so you have no choice but to deal with it.
You probably have clogged drains. Everybody has this issue now and then, and usually on the most inconvenient of occasions. But trying to fix them yourself can be a problem.
What are the Most Common Culprits that Clog Drains?
Here are some situations you may be familiar with:
- Grease and food bind with soap scum to create icky clogs in the kitchen.
- Hair easily binds to dirt and soap scum to cause buildup in bathroom drainpipes.
- Small household objects such as jewelry or small kid’s toys often get accidentally dropped down the sink or toilet.
- Leaves and dirt blocking outdoor drains.
Typically, it’s fairly easy to clear a semi-clogged drain, but of course this depends on your abilities, tools, and drain or pipe setup.
If water is still draining but that there is a foul smell coming from the drain, or if you hear gurgling or whistling noises and you don’t know the cause of the clog, call a professional instead of trying to fix it yourself.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Drain Cleaners
You might be surprised to find out that one of the worst things you can do is to use drain cleaner on a clog. They basically work via heat created by a chemical reaction between the liquid and the clog materials. The chemicals themselves are powerful enough to cause serious harm to you or other family members if spilled or swallowed.
As much as they can harm the human body, chemical drain cleaners can also hurt your pipes. After the chemical reaction occurs to clear out the actual clog, it can also continue to wear down the pipes if they sit in there. If your pipes are already worn, older, or made of certain materials, they will wear down the plumbing system fast.
Clog Prevention and Repair
For bathroom drains that get clogged with hair, you can buy a simple mesh cover piece to put in the drainpipe to prevent clogs. For the kitchen, you can run very hot water to clear and add a tiny bit of dish detergent to try to clear the clog, then try a plunger and repeat a few times if necessary.
If a plunger doesn’t work, it’s best to have a professional plumber assess the damage, especially if you are seeing repeated blocks that don’t seem to have a reason behind them. They will stop by with a pressurized “snake” tool that has a camera, which can show you exactly what’s wrong with the pipes.
If you’re looking for a trusted licensed plumber in the Toronto area to help you with a clogged drain issue,call or message Drain Rescue Plumbers anytime for more information–we’re here to help!